Hotels told to improve services to attract more tourists

IPOH: Hotels are encouraged to improve their services to bring in more tourists to Malaysia, says Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (pic).

He said regardless of a hotel's ranking, bad service would lead to lower reviews by customers, which would result in fewer guests.

"There are many three- and four-star hotels that receive better reviews than five-star hotels. Hotel staff need to be more friendly and helpful towards guests," he told reporters after attending the Tourism Perak Business Opportunity seminar at Hotel Syeun here Saturday (July 6).

"Hotels must also capitalise on its surroundings and local attractions to attract higher numbers of visitors," he said.

Muhammad Bakthiar also applauded the Perak government's efforts in promoting the state as a domestic and international tourism destination.

"Perak has a lot of potential and could soon be the only state in Malaysia with two Unesco sites.

"For Visit Malaysia Year 2020, we are aiming to welcome at least 30 million tourists and RM100bil in tourist receipts," he said.

"We hope the state government will work hard to promote its quality tourist attractions such as Bukit Bunuh and the Perak Man in Lenggong," he added.

The Lenggong Valley, where the remains of the "Perak Man" was found, is already a Unesco Archaeological Heritage site.

The Royal Belum State Park is on the Unesco World Heritage nominations list.

-thestar online.